Opportunity Information: Apply for FR FSP 24 003
The FY24 Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), focused on strengthening and expanding intercity passenger rail across the country. The program is designed to fund capital projects, meaning investments in physical infrastructure, equipment, and major system improvements rather than routine operating costs. Its core goals are to reduce the backlog of rail assets that need repair or replacement (often referred to as the "state of good repair" backlog), improve the performance and reliability of existing passenger rail services, and support the expansion of current routes or the creation of entirely new intercity passenger rail service.
Funding under this opportunity is aimed at tangible improvements that directly affect passenger rail outcomes, such as safer and more reliable track and structures, better on-time performance, increased capacity, and improved service coverage. Projects that address long-deferred rehabilitation needs, eliminate bottlenecks, modernize rail infrastructure, or enable new service frequencies typically align with the program's stated purpose. Because it is a capital-focused program administered by FRA, applicants generally need to demonstrate that their projects are practical, well-scoped, and positioned to deliver measurable public benefits tied to service quality, asset condition, and network expansion.
A broad range of public-sector and rail-related entities are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include states (including the District of Columbia), groups of states working together, interstate compacts, public agencies or publicly chartered authorities established by one or more states, and political subdivisions of a state such as counties, cities, or townships. Amtrak is also eligible, either applying on its own behalf or through a cooperative agreement with one or more states. In addition, federally recognized Indian Tribes may apply. The program also allows any combination of these eligible entities to apply jointly, which can be important for multijurisdictional corridors where infrastructure ownership, service planning, and benefits span multiple governmental boundaries.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed as "FY24 Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program" with Funding Opportunity Number FR FSP 24 003. It is a grant (rather than a contract) and falls under the transportation funding activity category. The associated CFDA number is 20.326, a key identifier often used for federal assistance programs in transportation and rail. The agency administering the program is DOT - Federal Railroad Administration, which typically emphasizes project readiness, clear public benefit, and alignment with national passenger rail and rail safety priorities.
In terms of funding scale and competitiveness, the notice indicates an award ceiling of 1,057,596,637 dollars, signaling the program can support very large capital initiatives, including major corridor upgrades or complex projects with significant construction and systems components. The FRA anticipates making around 50 awards, suggesting a competitive environment where applications must clearly justify need, benefits, deliverability, and partnership arrangements. The original application closing date is listed as December 16, 2024, and the opportunity record creation date is September 30, 2024, which helps frame the application timeline for planning, stakeholder coordination, and proposal development.
Overall, this grant program is structured to help public agencies and partners tackle major capital needs in intercity passenger rail, whether the priority is fixing aging infrastructure, improving service speed and reliability, or building out new passenger rail connections. It is especially relevant for applicants seeking to advance high-impact rail projects that require substantial federal participation and that can demonstrate strong regional or national transportation value.Apply for FR FSP 24 003
- The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY24 Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.326.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-09-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-12-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,057,596,637.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Others.
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FY24 Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program (FR FSP 24 003) - FAQs
What is the FY24 Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), focused on strengthening and expanding intercity passenger rail across the United States.
Who is the federal agency administering this grant?
The administering agency is the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) - Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Is this funding a grant or a contract?
This opportunity is a grant (not a contract).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR FSP 24 003.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The associated CFDA number is 20.326.
What type of projects does this program fund?
The program is designed to fund capital projects, meaning investments in physical infrastructure, equipment, and major system improvements. It is aimed at tangible improvements that directly affect intercity passenger rail outcomes, such as safer and more reliable track and structures, improved on-time performance, increased capacity, and improved service coverage.
Does this program fund operating costs?
Based on the program description provided, it is capital-focused and emphasizes physical infrastructure, equipment, and major system improvements rather than routine operating costs.
What are the core goals of the program?
The core goals are to reduce the backlog of rail assets needing repair or replacement (the "state of good repair" backlog), improve the performance and reliability of existing intercity passenger rail services, and support expansion of current routes or creation of entirely new intercity passenger rail service.
What kinds of improvements are considered a good fit for this grant?
Projects that address long-deferred rehabilitation needs, eliminate bottlenecks, modernize rail infrastructure, or enable new service frequencies typically align with the program's stated purpose. The opportunity emphasizes deliverable projects with measurable public benefits tied to service quality, asset condition, and network expansion.
What outcomes does the program emphasize for passenger rail?
The program emphasizes outcomes such as improved safety and reliability, better on-time performance, increased capacity, and expanded service coverage, along with progress toward reducing the state of good repair backlog.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include states (including the District of Columbia), groups of states, interstate compacts, public agencies or publicly chartered authorities established by one or more states, political subdivisions of a state (such as counties, cities, or townships), Amtrak, and federally recognized Indian Tribes.
Can multiple eligible entities apply together?
Yes. The program allows any combination of eligible entities to apply jointly, which can be important for multijurisdictional corridors where ownership, service planning, and benefits span multiple governmental boundaries.
Can Amtrak apply under this program?
Yes. Amtrak is eligible to apply, either on its own behalf or through a cooperative agreement with one or more states.
Are political subdivisions like cities or counties eligible?
Yes. Political subdivisions of a state, including counties, cities, or townships, are listed as eligible applicants.
Are federally recognized Indian Tribes eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Indian Tribes may apply under this opportunity.
What is the transportation category for this funding opportunity?
The opportunity falls under the transportation funding activity category.
How large can individual awards be?
The notice indicates an award ceiling of 1,057,596,637 dollars, signaling the program can support very large capital initiatives, including major corridor upgrades or complex projects with significant construction and systems components.
How many awards does FRA expect to make?
The FRA anticipates making around 50 awards.
Is this a competitive grant program?
Yes. The program is described as discretionary, and the expectation of around 50 awards alongside the scale of funding suggests a competitive environment where applications need to clearly justify need, benefits, deliverability, and partnership arrangements.
What does FRA typically look for in a strong application?
Based on the description provided, applicants generally need to demonstrate that their projects are practical, well-scoped, and positioned to deliver measurable public benefits tied to service quality, asset condition, and network expansion, with an emphasis on readiness and alignment with passenger rail and rail safety priorities.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is listed as December 16, 2024.
When was the opportunity record created?
The opportunity record creation date is September 30, 2024.
What types of rail projects might use this program to expand service?
The program is intended to support expansion of current routes or the creation of entirely new intercity passenger rail service, including capital investments that enable new service frequencies and improved coverage.
Why might joint applications be important for this program?
Joint applications can matter in multijurisdictional corridors where infrastructure ownership, service planning responsibilities, and project benefits cross multiple governmental boundaries, making coordinated partnerships central to delivering corridor-scale improvements.
What is meant by the "state of good repair" backlog in this context?
In the context provided, it refers to rail assets that need repair or replacement due to long-deferred rehabilitation or aging infrastructure, and reducing this backlog is a core goal of the program.
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